Kiana Ledé

They say pressure creates diamonds. Under the heat, tension, and force of the world, the truest and realest artists are born. Long before Kiana Ledé emerged as a new kind of multi-hyphenate—singer, multi-instrumentalist, and actress—she underwent the kind of pressure that makes or breaks even the toughest among us. Raised by the tough streets of Philly, with little to no money throughout her formative years, developing a strong sense of identity that fuels her art to this day.

“Growing up as a mixed race girl, I’m able to pull from so many influences. I see it as a super-power, really. I am not one thing, so my music doesn’t have to be one thing either. It also allows different types of people to relate to it and to my story. Those firsthand experiences aren’t just about me either, but also about what my father and mother went through. Dad’s taste in music was Rap and R&B, so I grew up listening to what he loved in his house. Then, at my mother’s house, where I spent most of my time, I had a totally different musical experience. 

I think actually going through real experiences makes me be able to give more depth and life to my songs.” –says Kiana.